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Tools Christ would have used

Yesterday's Tractor Forums
Chisels would be first. Mallet made from a small limb and cut away till you have the handle. Tool to use would be a fallow if I spelled it right. Then touch it up with a draw knife. A spindle drill. They did have planes. Just about all of the hand tools of today were available then but in much simpler form. They did have iron but was very expensive. What is neat is sand paper. Fine sand and a small very flat smooth stone that would fit your hand. Sprinkle some very fine sand on the wood and use the block of stone. They also used shark skin for very fine sanding. Lastly is the palm of your hand. You always hear that phrase "hand finished". Yup.. you use the palm of your hand to get that really fine finish. Have done it when finishing wood handles with tung oil. When it has dried rub it enough to make it really warm. You get a glass slick finish. There are lots of U tubes about old time wood working.
 
Maybe posting religious based threads isn't that bright of an idea, after all, they are entitled to their opinions as well. Thread could have simply
been- What tools would a carpenter have used 2000 years ago, but nope, gotta put a religious spin on it. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
 
In the time of Jesus, probably being a 'carpenter' meant building in general and not just working with wood. I'm sure nothing was lightweight in those days, likely used heavy iron tools -- chisels, bars, hammers, something resembling a shovel. He probably had arms like a weight lifter.

As far as the sad comment, that could only come from a coward.
 
(quoted from post at 09:12:32 02/22/19) Maybe posting religious based threads isn't that bright of an idea, after all, they are entitled to their opinions as well. Thread could have simply
been- What tools would a carpenter have used 2000 years ago, but nope, gotta put a religious spin on it. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
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In case you didn't notice, 'religious based threads' happen frequently on this forum. Where have you been?
 
the title introduces the subject. If one does not like the subject do not open the thread. That is called freedom of choice. Some would like to "limit your choices" to only the subjects that they approve of, so therefore limiting you freedom of choice. Please do not even try to "limit my freedom of choice" too many brave men and women have fought for that freedom. If the carpenters of "That Era" could see the battery powered tools of today they would be more than amazed. gobble
 
There are religious based threads posted on the tool forum frequently? You must be right, religious based tool discussions are an everyday happening,
but I seem to have missed them all.
 
That is exactly what the original thread asks. No need for anyone to get worked up because he mentioned a specific carpenter. There is no debate that he was a carpenter that I know of.
 
Trying to be too PC is never a "bright idea".

Political Correctness: A belief that one can pick up a turd by the clean end
 
Sorry that you're triggered, but I'm not seeing any religious base. There is absolutely no debate over whether or not this particular carpenter existed at that time. The secular historical record is clear and overwhelming. Any remaining debate is over whether he was "lunatic, liar, or Lord".
 
Not trying to be remotely pc at all, I was just pointing out that if you throw religion into something, you'll see comments you don't like. Its like mentioning Donald nnalert,people have different thoughts that grind others the wrong way.
 
(quoted from post at 10:01:02 02/22/19) There are religious based threads posted on the tool forum frequently? You must be right, religious based tool discussions are an everyday happening,
but I seem to have missed them all.
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You know exactly what I meant, any YT forum. Like was said above, if you don't like the title don't read it.
 
I was about to make the same point. Those that would call that question a 'religious based thread' does not understand or know history and that is sad.
 
By that time there may have been more craftsmen than in nan earlier era. At the time of building the temple, carpenters were imported from Lebanon and the philistines were the blacksmiths. the tools used today are much different than used just 60 years ago. who knows how to use a handsaw, much less how to set it or file it. Who uses auger bits? Plomb bob. Adze. rasp. marking gage. gimlet. miter box. folding rule, scraper. breast drill
 


A little history, the Jews had been in Egyptian captivity about 1500 years prior to Christ time on Earth. While there, they learned many skills, as they were the laborers.

They brought those skills with them when freed, and continued to develop them.

At the time of Christ's birth, the Jews were under Roman control. The Romans were one of the most advanced civilization of the time.

Through out history, the major advances in technology are brought about through the building of military equipment, which the Romans were heavily into. Those advances trickle down to the civilian world as technology improves and costs go down.

So the Jews would have seen, and done, and had access to some of the best equipment available. They were highly skilled builders. Think of the elaborate structures like the Temple. Beautifully decorated, ornate. There are still unanswered questions of how it was erected with what they had to work with!

Now would Joseph and Jesus had the best? Probably not, there was a huge gap in social levels, no middle class, either extremely rich, or living in poverty. But they would have seen what could be done, and would have been improvising, working smarter, not harder.

Carpentry would have crossed the lines from stone construction, furniture building, to agricultural equipment, and every kind of utilitarian purpose in use. So, there would have been many different types of carpenters and skill levels.

As for tools, they would have had some fairly advanced metals to work with, but would have been extremely expensive, probably limited to the government (Temple employees), but the technology would have trickled down to the civilian market. They would have had some decent saws, chisels, planes, rasps, ability to accurately measure and do math and trig.

A side note, years ago when I was a kid exploring the local museum, they had an Egyptian exhibit on display. These were items removed from the pyramids. (Yeah, build a few of those without power tools or portable lighting!) One of the items that caught my attention, a small ceremonial cup, made of metal. Obviously had been turned, or at least polished, on a lathe!
 
Probably something like what we have today. I remember reading years ago an article about dental work from that time period. Seems they dug up a skeleton that had a tiny gold filling in one tooth.
 
Not triggered at all, don?t believe I?m the one calling for people to be kicked off the site because they said something in poor taste.
 
Fawteen Nobody believes in Christ anymore it?s all just a fairy tale according to the world anyway . Eat drink and be merry don?t ya know
 
(quoted from post at 10:52:20 02/22/19) By that time there may have been more craftsmen than in nan earlier era. At the time of building the temple, carpenters were imported from Lebanon and the philistines were the blacksmiths. the tools used today are much different than used just 60 years ago. who knows how to use a handsaw, much less how to set it or file it. Who uses auger bits? Plomb bob. Adze. rasp. marking gage. gimlet. miter box. folding rule, scraper. breast drill
Click to expand...

I own most of those tools, and I do use them occasionally. Power saws don't work when there is no power.
 
Ancient woodworking benches can be surprisingly practical and handy. Many use foot or knee pressure to clamp the board you are working on.
 
"I own most of those tools, and I do use them occasionally. Power saws don't work when there is no power." Not necessarily true.
mvphoto31808.jpg
 
Personally, I offen wounderd "How did HE make a liv'n "after DAD died?


John.......My mother's choice of names PA lccation, NOW!

HTH
 
I didn't know his dad died, how did he die? And how was his mother a virgin? Really if you think about it, he didn't need any tools because he never had any.
 
Christ just happened to be a famous carpenter he also was a son a friend to many a preacher a servant he had many roles. When people get there nnalert in a not over such a simple post about a man whose life touched so many who just happened to be a carpenter it?s truly sad. Just the mention of his name gets people all jacked up. It has been said that The name Jesus Christ is mentioned in history not even counting the Bible more than any other name. It is also said there is power in that name. Apparently that has proven to be true just think of the power all The naysayers have given to his name. As for me and my house we shall follow The lord.
 
Regardless of the "tools" of the times, the problem today is the work cannot be finished FAST ENOUGH!

HTH

John,PA
 
The Romans were the greatest builders of the day, working with wood, stone and concrete. Many examples of their tools have survived; if you google "roman woodworking tools" you'll get plenty of hits. I assume the tools used by the locals in Judea and other provinces would be similar to their Roman counterparts, but cruder. They would be made locally using whatever materials were available, e.g. wood and wrought iron.
 
I have been under the impression the area Christ lived in was mostly barren of trees making stone the most prevalent building material. Trees gave precious shade so I don't think many were cut down for lumber unless the tree was already dead. Also, the trees they had available were twisted and gnarly and hard to work with. The lumber used for rafters was probably just limbs and branches where precise fitting wasn't needed. Maybe the flat planks were round limbs planed flat instead of being sawed flat like we do today with sawmills.

I want to comment in the worst way about the controversial statement made earlier on but he already got the attention he longed for.
 

What that area was like 2000 years ago is not what it is like today. That area wasn't called the "Fertile Crescent" without cause.
 
Jn building the temple several hundred years earlier. the timber was imported from Lebanon with a bargain with King Hiram, Some think King David gave King Hiram a bad deal
 
Have you ever wondered why Jesus said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." John 15:18
John 7:7 gives the answer.
 
One tool that changed around time of roman empire was the saw. Greek, Hebrew saw blade was more like a serrated carving knife blade with minimal taper and no side bend cleaning teeth- could cut wood to about 1/2 width of blade but then friction build up and more effort to cut. Roman saw had about every 4th or 5th tooth bent a little to side so a cut/groove was slightly wider than blade of saw which meant less effort to pull/push when making deep cuts, could cut much deeper than blade width and that meant larger diameter logs could be cut with less effort. Another minor change was angle of teeth slightly to rear which meant easier push with just some cleaning cut and more cutting on 'pull'. 'Push' blade angle of teeth known also for some uses but would need thicker blade- but could put some weight behind the push. Current plain saw blades are 'Push' blades in most of USA sort of like last of roman blades. At time of Christ the carpenters would have both old and newer Roman saw blades known with thin bladed small toothed 'Pull ' saw used for some of finish work and some of rough work- Iron blades with some of older brass/bronze blades with reversed taper- cutting edge on wide edge especially if even filed teeth used for both push and pull- like serrated edge turkey carving knife. A comparison to modern 'japanese' pull saw finishing blade was made to some early saws in museums- English museum with the 'Greek/Hebrew' and the later Roman. Modern Japanese wood working in the temples use some of same techniques as used in Roman times for mortise and tenon joints, dove tails. Bone chisels and some stone with flint and obsidian blades for cutting would still have been used. RN
 
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